Buckle construction for straps, and the like

ABSTRACT

A buckle construction for straps, such as watchbands and other straps, including a channel for receiving the strap, holding means movable in the channel against and away from the strap for holding and releasing the latter, abutment or reaction means mounted in the channel above or outward of the holding means, and wedging means mounted for movement into and out of wedging engagement interposed between the holding and reaction means.

Unite States Patent [191 [111 3, Meyerson 1 June 25, 1974 BUCKLE CONSTRUCTION FOR STRAPS, 1,500,362 7/1924 Buchsbaum 24/191 AN THE L 1,814,475 7/1931 Kestenman 24/206 B 2,229,677 l/l94l S h 24/l9l [76] Inventor: Stanley Meyerson, 1111 Ocean c oenmger Ave. Brooklyn, 11225 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Filed g 23 1972 550,709 l/l943 Great Britain 24/134 E [21] Appl. No.: 283,086 Primary Examiner-Bernard A. Gelak Attorney, Agent, or FirmLilling & Siege! [52] U.S. CI 24/170, 24/ 1723361213, [57] ABSTRACT [51 Int. Cl. A44b 11/12, A44b 11/06 A buckle for maps, Such as wawhbands 5 Field of Search 24/l70 191, 206 B 263 B and other straps, including a channel for receiving the 24/194 134 166 168 strap, holding means movable in the channel against r and away from the strap for holding and releasing the [56] References Cited latter, abutment or reaction means mounted in the channel above or outward of the holding means, and UNITED STATES PATENTS wedging means mounted for movement into and out g; g f

of wedging engagement interposed between the hold- 1 un 855,675 6/1907 Skinner.. 24/168 mg and reaction means 1,086,455 2/1914 Kaiser 24/168 12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUHESIEI- sum 2 or 2 BUCKLE CONSTRUCTION FOR STRAPS, AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND :OF THE INVENTION While it is well'known to those versed in the art that the area of buckles, as for watchbands, straps, and the like, is highly developed, it is also appreciated that the combined desiderata of structural simplicity, economy in manufacture, strength to withstand the repeated abuses of use without undue bulk or size, ease of operation, and reliability throughouta long useful life, have not been achieved in prior art buckle structures. That is, prior art devices in this area of development have been lacking in one or more of the above attributes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a buckle construction of the type described which overcomes the above-mentioned difficulties, uniquely combines all of the hereinbefore recited desiderata and further results in a buckle device capable of substantially infinitely variable, selective positioning by the average user, without the services of a jeweler or trained technician, and which is further well adapted for use in jewelry, being capable of effective production in a wide range of sizes and lending itself to highly attractive and aesthetic designs without sacrifice of functional advantages.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top perspective view showing a buckle construction of the present invention in operative association with a strap or band, the buckle being open and partly cut away to more clearly illustrate interior construction thereof.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing the buckle of FIG. 1, and illustrating an alternative position of an operator member or wedge in dot-and-dash outline.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevational view taken generally along the line of 3-3 of FIG. 2, a cover member being shown in phantom in its closed position.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but showing a slightly modified embodiment of the instant invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGS. l-4 thereof, a buckle of the present invention is there generally designated and is shown in operative association with a strap, band or strip 11.

More particularly, the buckle device 10, which may be considered as a strap clamp, clasp, lock, or the like,

may include an open-ended channel "15 defined by a generally flat bottom wall or'web 16 and a pair of generally parallel, facing spaced side walls or flanges 17 and 18 upstanding from opposite side edges of the bottom wall. Thus, the channel bottom 16 and sides 17 and 18 serve to receive in the space therebetween one end .region 20 of the strap 11. The strap end region 20 may 'lie in facing relation with the upper or inner surface of the channel bottom wall 16, and the strap is longitudinally adjustably shiftable and positionable relative to the channel 15, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

Adjacent to one end of the channel 15, extending transversely thereacross between an upper or outer region of channel sidesor flanges l7 and 18, there may be provided a bar or pin 21 to which may be connected the other end region 22 of the strap or band 11. In any conventional manner, the strap end region 22 may be 5 more or less permanently connected to the channel 15,

say by a permanent strap end loop 23 circumposed about a pin 21 fixed between the channel sides 17 and 18, or by detachable connection of the strap end 22 to a fixed pin 21, or by a permanent end loop 23 circumposed about a detachable pin 21, or other suitable means.

The channel sides may be provided with receiver openings, recesses or slots, such as a pair of openings 24 formed in the side wall 17 spaced longitudinally therealong, and a pair of similarly longitudinally spaced openings 25 fomied in the opposite side wall 18. Disposed within the channel 15, extending transversely thereacross is a holding or pressure member 26 overlying the received strap end portion 20. The holding member or pressure member 26 may be plate-like and of generally rectangular outline configuration being provided on its opposite longitudinal sides or edges with laterally outstanding projections or lugs, such as a pair of side edge lugs 27 respectively entering into side wall openings 24, and an oppositely projecting pair of side edge lugs 28 respectively entering into channel side wall openings 25. The openings 24 and 25 may be vertically elongate, so as to afl'ord vertical clearance to the received lugs 27 and 28, thereby permitting of vertical movement by holding member or plate 26 toward and away from the channel bottom wall 20. It will therefore be appreciated that the holding or pressure in FIG. 1, for positive impaling engagement with the adjacent nether region of strap end portion 20. This may be desirable in certain circumstances, as when the strap 20 is of a metal chain construction.

At a location within the channel 15, extending transversely thereacross, and located at a level above the pressure member 26, there is fixed an abutment, bar, pin or reaction member 31. In practice, the transverse reaction member, abutment or pin 31 may be located adjacent to the end pin 21, over the proximate end of pressure member 26 and its depending gripping member or lip 30. The abutment rod or reaction member 31 may be suitably fixedto the channel side walls 17 and 18, as desired.

An additional transverse member or pin 32 may extend between the channel sides 17 and 18, adjacent to the end thereof remote from pin 21. Pivotally connected to the pin 32 may be a cover member, closure or plate 33 having one end curled, as at 34, about the pin 32 for swinging movement about the axis thereof. A resilient clip or snap 35 may be carried by the cover member 33 spaced from the curled end 34 for swinging movement with the cover. When the cover 33 is swung into covering relation with respect to the channel 17, the snap or clip 35 resiliently deflects for snap retaining engagement about the reaction member or pin 31. This closed cover condition is shown in phantom in FIG. 3. The free end of cover 33 extends beyond the clip 35, as at 36, to provide a lip for convenient engagement therebeneath to swing the cover from its closed to its opened, solid line position, as seen in FIG. 3.

On the holding member 26 there is located an operator member or wedging means 38, which may be generally elongate and may rest on the upper or outer surface of plate-like holding member. One end region 39 of the wedging member 38, the end region remote from reaction member or pin 31, may be connected to the plate-like holding member 26, as by pivotal connection or pin 40 extending transversely of the plane of the holding member. Also, the pivotal connection 40 serves to pivotally connect or pin the operator end region 39 to the holding member 26 at a location adjacent to the end pin 32 and also adjacent to one side of the channel 15, say the side wall 18 as shown in the drawings. In this condition the wedging member or operator 38 is swingable about the axis of pin 40 approximately 90, say from a position generally longitudinally of the channel, as shown in solid lines, to a position transverse of the channel, as shown in phantom in FIG. 2. The wedging member 38 has its other or free end region 4!, remote from the pinned end region 39, or a longitudinally outwardly tapering or cammed configuration, as clearly shown in FIG. 3. Further, the proportions of wedging member 38 are such that the tapering end region All is swung into position beneath the reaction member 3i when the wedging member is swung toward its disposition longitudinally of the channel. Thus, the wedging member 38 is interposed in wedging engagement between the holding member 26 and the reaction member 31 to effectively displace the holding member into firm holding engagement with the nether strap end region 20. When the operator member 38 is swung counterclockwise, as seen in FIG. 2, out of its interposing relationship between the reaction member 31 and pressure member 26, the latter is released for free floating movement upwardly to release its clamping engagement with the strap end region 20. In order to facilitate the hereinbefore described swinging movement of the interposer or wedging member 38, there may be provided on the latter an upstanding actuating portion 42, as for convenient engagement by a finger or tool.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the buckle, clamp or lock a may be essentially similar to the buckle, clamp or lock 10 of the first described embodiment, but is adapted for frictional clamping engage.- ment with a strap 1 la, rather than the hereinbefore described positive impaling engagement with the strap 1 1.

The channel 15a may be identical to the channel 15, being provided with end pins or transverse members 21a and 32a, the former being adapted for connection to a strap end region 22a and the latter being adapted for connection to a cover 33a.

In addition, a transverse reaction member or abutment pin 31a extends between the sides of channel 15a, intermediate the end pin 21a and 32a. The plate-like pressure member 26a is floatingly mounted in the channel 15a in the same manner as the first described pressure member and carries a wedging member or interposer 38a, all as described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4.

However, the pressure member 26a is provided with a depending flange or lip 30a in the region adjacent to and below reaction member 31a, which lip may be smooth or non-serrated, in contradistinction to the first-described pressure member lip 30, for frictional clamping engagement with the nether end region 20a of strap lla. Thus, the embodiment of FIG. 5 may be employed in conjunction with leather or similar type straps 11a wherein undue wear would be occasioned by the roughened pressure member lip of the firstdescribed embodiment.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the strap buckle, clamp or lock of the present invention is admirably well suited to afford its quick, easy and universal adjustability, while being capable of economic manufacture in uniquely attractive designs, and otherwise fully accomplishing its intended objects.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A buckle construction for a strap, or the like, comprising a bottom, sides upstanding from said bottom and combining therewith to define a channel for receiving a strap, a cover mounted on said channel for swinging movement into and out of covering relation with said channel, holding means comprising a transverse member extending across said channel and mounted in said channel for freely moving downwardly into and upwardly out of holding relation with a received strap, abutment means in said channel above said holding means, and means interposed between said abutment means and said transverse member of said holding means comprising a member pivotably mounted for swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to said transverse member and into and out of wedging engagement between said abutment means and said holding means for releasably retaining a strap in received position.

2. A buckle construction according 'to claim 1, wherein said means interposed between said abutment means and said transverse member is a camming element.

3. A buckle construction according to claim 2, wherein said camming element is a wedging member comprising a tapering portion pivotably mounted for swinging movement into and out of wedging engagement between said abutment means and said holding -means to displace the latter downwardly.

4. A buckle construction according to claim 1, said transverse member comprising a plate-like member, and pivot means pivotally connecting said means interposed between said abutment means and said transverse member to said plate-like member for said swinging movement.

5. A buckle construction according to claim 4, said abutment means comprising a bar extending across said channel between the sides thereof.

6. A buckle construction according to claim 5, further including retaining means on said cover for releasably retaining engagement with said bar.

7. A buckle construction according to claim 1, said holding means comprising a generally flat plate, and a lip depending from said plate for retaining engagement with said strap.

8. A buckle construction according to claim 7, said lip being serrated for positive holding engagment with said strap.

9. A buckle construction according to claim 7, said lip being smooth for frictional holding engagement with said strap.

10. A buckle construction according to claim 7, said camming element including wedging means being disposed on said flat plate and having one end region remote from said lip pivotally connected to said flat plate for swinging movement about an axis transverse of said flat plate toward and away from said lip, the opposite end region of said wedging means tapering outwardly for wedging interposition between said flat plate and said abutment means.

11. A buckle construction according to claim 10, said abutment means comprising a bar extending across said channel between the sides thereof, and retaining means on said cover for releasably retaining engagement with said bar,

12. A buckle construction according to claim 10, said wedging means further including an upstanding actuating lip portion for convenient engagement by a tool or finger, whereby an interposing relationship of said wedging means between said holding plate and said abutment means may be achieved upon the pivotal swinging of said wedging means beneath said abutment means. 

1. A buckle construction for a strap, or the like, comprising a bottom, sides upstanding from said bottom and combining therewith to define a channel for receiving a strap, a cover mounted on said channel for swinging movement into and out of covering relation with said channel, holding means comprising a transverse member extending across said channel and mounted in said channel for freely moving downwardly into and upwardly out of holding relation with a received strap, abutment means in said channel above said holding means, and means interposed between said abutment means and said transverse member of said holding means comprising a member pivotably mounted for swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to said transverse member and into and out of wedging engagement between said abutment means and said holding means for releasably retaining a strap in received position.
 2. A buckle construction according to claim 1, wherein said means interposed between said abutment means and said transverse member is a camming element.
 3. A buckle construction according to claim 2, wherein said camming element is a wedging member comprising a tapering portion pivotably mounted for swinging movement into and out of wedging engagement between said abutment means and said holding means to displace the latter downwardly.
 4. A buckle construction according to claim 1, said transverse member comprising a plate-like member, and pivot means pivotally connecting said means interposed between said abutment means and said transverse member to said plate-like member for said swinging movement.
 5. A buckle construction according to claim 4, said abutment means comprising a bar extending across said channel between the sides thereof.
 6. A buckle construction according to claim 5, further including retaining means on said cover for releasably retaining engagement with said bar.
 7. A buckle construction according to claim 1, said holding means comprising a generally flat plate, and a lip depending from said plate for retaining engagement with said strap.
 8. A buckle construction according to claim 7, said lip being serrated for positive holding engagment with said strap.
 9. A buckle construction according to claim 7, said lip being smooth for frictional holding engagement with said strap.
 10. A buckle construction according to claim 7, said camming element including wedging means being disposed on said flat plate and having one end region remote from said lip pivotally connected to said flat plate for swinging movement about an axis transverse of said flat plate toward and away from said lip, the opposite end region of said wedging means tapering outwardly for wedging interposition between said flat plate and said abutment means.
 11. A buckle construction according to claim 10, said abutment means comprising a bar extending across said channel between the sides thereof, and retaining means on said cover for releasably retaining engagement with said bar.
 12. A buckle construction according to claim 10, said wedging means further including an upstanding actuating lip portion for convenient engagement by a tool or finger, whereby an interposing relationship of said wedging means between said holding plate and said abutment means may be acHieved upon the pivotal swinging of said wedging means beneath said abutment means. 